USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. : a biographical directory of many of its leading citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, history of Iowa and the Northwest, map of Taylor County, Constitution of the United States, reminiscences, miscellaneous matters, etc > Part 88
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CHANDLER, B. F., farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Bedford, was born in Pennsylvania in 1844. When a child his parents moved to Illinois, and
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there he grew to manhood and received his education. Came to Taylor county in 1869, since which time he has been in the stock business quite extensively. At this writing he has a fine herd of Short-Horns, and his stock never fails to take a share of the "ribbons" wherever exhibited. He is now feeding about eighty head of fine cattle for the market. His farm consists of 500 acres mostly devoted to grass, feeding lots and yards for stock; good orchard of about 300 bearing trees; barns and sheds of the most approved style. The house lot has a very neat homelike appearance, surrounded with an iron fence; the yard is nicely arranged with shade and ornamental trees, shrubs, flowers, etc. He was married in 1867 to Miss Cordeius Lovitt. From this union there are two likely boys: William Lesley, born in 1868, and Frank M., born in 1872. Mr.Chandler served his country as a soldier during the war. His father, Jesse Chandler, is still living at an advanced age, and is a respected citizen of Knox county, Illinois.
CHURCHILL, SAMUEL D., farmer and stock-raiser, section ten, post- office Holt, pioneer of Washington township. Among the many old settlers of Taylor county none are more worthy a place in this volume than the subject of this brief sketch. He was born in Ohio in 1835, and there grew to manhood. In 1847 he married Miss Serena McUmber, also a native of Ohio. In 1853 he went to Michigan and engaged in farming, and remained two years, then came to Taylor county and located where he now lives, at the south point of Hayden Grove; entered forty acres of timber which he cleared and grubbed. In 1860 he bought forty acres of prairie which he also improved. Commencing without means he of necessity met with many difficulties. He had neither team nor farm implements for three or four years, nor indeed much of anything else except stout hands and a brave heart. He and his good wife undertook and succeeded in hew- ing for themselves a home out of the then Iowa wilderness. How they ever accomplished it is indeed wonderful, and what a lesson is there in the lives of these people for the present generation, with all their luxu- rious habits, to profit by. Mrs. Churchill made their own clothing from the product of a few sheep which they raised soon after their settlement and before they got a team of oxen, which was deemed more of a nec- essity in those days. This was the first cloth made in the neighborhood as near as can be learned. Their success is apparent as they now have a nice farm of eighty acres. Their house is surrounded by a beautiful grove of natural trees; a good orchard and many other improvements. Mrs. Churchill taught the first school in the neighborhood, not a district school. The school-house was built by the inhabitants, each contributing a certain amount of work in its construction, and is described as a very
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primitive affair. Indians were there for several seasons hunting and trap- ping on the One Hundred and Two River. They were never hostile but were very annoying as beggars. Mr. C. says wild game -was very plen- tiful in those days and was a great help to the settlers. Deer could be killed at any time without leaving home; wolves were very annoying, sheep and pigs having to be kept shut up for protection against them. They have two children living: G. W., editor and proprietor of the Essex Index, Page county, Iowa; and Ella, wife of George L. Brockman, liv- ing with her parents. BROCKMAN, GEORGE L., carpenter and buil- der, post-office Holt, was born in Maryland in 1844. Came to Illinois with his parents in 1856. Served, during the rebellion, in the Seventieth and the One Hundred and Forty-third Illinois volunteers. Came to Iowa in 1868, where he has been engaged as a carpenter and builder; is at present doing a good business and has the confidence of his patrons. Married in 1880 to Miss Ella M. Churchill. They have one child, Os- car N.
DUNN, JOHN A., farmer, section eight, post-office Holt, was born in Ohio in 1847. His parents emigrated to Illinois in 1850, and to Tay- lor county in 1856, locating in Dallas township where the subject grew to manhood. Came to Washington township in 1871, since which time he has worked the farm known as the Kirk Place. Was married in 1868 to Miss Ellen McWilliams, a native of Iowa. They are the parents of six healthy children: Oliver, Robert, Wylie, Hattie May, Lottie Belle and Nellie.
ELLIOTT, JAMES, farmer, section eight, post-office Holt, was born in Pennsylvania in 1827; moved to Indiana in 1857; lived there eleven years, and came to Iowa in 1868. The following year he moved to Taylor county, locating where he now lives. He made all the improvements on his farm, which consists of sixty-seven acres, all in good cultivation, good bearing orchard, shade and ornamental trees, etc., and osage orange hedge around the entire farm. Was married in 1857 to Miss Florinda Hills. Of this union there are five children living: Anna A., Mark M., William A., James R. and Willis F. Has held the offices of supervisor, school director, etc .; also held the office of justice of the peace in Indiana. Served his country in the war of the rebellion. Enlisted in September, 1861, in the Thirtieth Indiana volunteer infantry. Participated in the battles of Pitts- burg Landing, where he received a wound (which ultimately caused his dis- charge), Perryville and Stone River. Was discharged in February, 1863, on account of wounds received in battle.
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ELLIOTT, JAMES H., section twenty-nine, post-office Bedford, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, in 1819. His father died while he was a mere youth. He moved with his mother to Indiana in 1836. Came to Iowa in 1851. Preëmpted the land on which Prairie City, Jasper county, now stands, which town Mr. Elliott located in 1856. Came to Taylor county in 1873, and bought the farm he now owns and occupies, consisting of 550 acres; no doubt the finest farm in the township, all improved land and in a good state of cultivation. Has held various offices of trust in his township. He was married in 1839 in Owen county, Indiana, to Miss Julia E. Hicks. Of this union there are eight children living, three boys and five girls: Martha J., John W., Mary A., Isabella, James E., Amanda, Robert M. and Etta May, and a little grand- daughter, Emma Ellen, is a member of his family. Mr. Elliott has met with various experiences, successes and reverses, but with a strong will and untiring energy, he has surmounted his difficulties, and can look for con- tinued successes in the future.
FLEMMING, ELEAZER, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Bedford, was born in Indiana, in 1835. While quite young he went with his parents to Missouri, and was there at the breaking out of the war. Party feeling at that time ran high, the Union party and the secession party being about equally divided in the locality where he lived, so much so that a secession miller would not grind a grist for a Union man, and vice versa. Was mar- ried in 1856 to Sarah A. Blazer, of Davis county, Iowa. They have three children: Almeda, Marietta and Levi A. He became a resident of Taylor county, Iowa, in 1862. Bought the farm he now occupies in 1864, and engaged at stock-raising, which he now carries on extensively. His farm consists of 320 acres, which is well improved. Mr. Flemming is one of Tay- lor county's prosperous and popular men, having held many offices of im- portance, among which we will mention that of clerk of the county court, to which office he was elected in 1872, as the Anti-monopoly candidate. Was a member of the local guard during the war of the rebellion.
FREEMAN, S. C., farmer and stock-raiser, sections thirty-four and thirty-five, post-office Bedford, was born in Pennsylvania, December 19, 1824. In 1838 his parents moved to Ohio. His father died shortly after. Mr. F. lived with his mother until his marriage, which occurred in November, 1850. His wife's maiden name was Miss Mary Flowers. They are the parents of eleven children: William J., Samuel W., V. W., L. B., T. L., Benjamin C., Martha J., Sarah C., Mary E., Arminta F. and Harriet H. N., five of whom are married, and are residents of Taylor county. The subject came to Iowa in 1855, and located in Henry county, where he lived
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until 1873, when he became a resident of Taylor county. Bought the farm known as "The Grove," consisting of 320 acres, well improved and in an excellent state of cultivation; has an orchard of 400 bearing trees, a fine grove of walnut, maple, cottonwood, etc., in all probability the largest trees in the county (we might except some few forest trees of natural growth). The farm is well fenced, well watered, etc., has every facility for a good stock farm. Mr. Freeman has accumulated this fine property wholly by his own exertions, being reared a poor boy, and having the care of a wid- owed mother during his early manhood.
GARTRELL, D. B., farmer and stock-raiser, section six, post-office Holt, was born in Maryland in 1817, emigrated to Ohio in 1831, and lived there nineteen years. Was married in 1840, to Miss Mary Walters. They have three children living: Jane, John T., and Emma. First wife died in 1848. He married Miss Sarah Ann Otis, in 1849, and moved to Illinois in 1850. From there he moved to Page county, Iowa, in 1851, and came to Taylor county in 1853; located on the south side of Hayden Grove, en- tered and improved eighty acres of land. He went into the grocery busi- ness in the city of Bedford in 1866, which proved unprofitable. Returned to his farm in 1872. Hlas nine children living by second wife: Walter E., Charles H., Willie E., Ellen, Emeline, Mattie, Alice, Daniel and James G. Held the office of constable a number of years. Is one of the first settlers of the township.
GRAY, JOHN, farmer and stock-raiser, section nineteen, post-office Bedford, one of the pioneers of Washington township, was born in Ohio in 1811, and was married in 1840 to Mrs. E. J. Sowles (maiden name Beaty), also a native of Ohio. Emigrated to Indiana the following year. There improved a farm on which he lived fourteen years. Came to Taylor county, Iowa, in 1857. Located where he now lives. He has a nice farm of eighty acres, well improved, with a good house, orchard, shade trees, etc. well fenced and in a good state of cultivation. Also forty acres of timber. These good people were among the first settlers of the township, coming when the'country was new. They of necessity met with many difficulties, but have been enabled to surmount them, and to see their family grown up, all married, and residents of Taylor county. Their names are Thomas M., William C., Sarah E., Lucy A., Constantine, John B. and Mary B. They also have twenty grandchildren living.
HAMBLIN, D. W., farmer and stock-raiser, section twelve, post-office Bedford, was born in Cayuga county, New York, in 1827, and there grew to manhood, receiving an excellent common school education. His ances- tors were among the pilgrims who landed at Plymouth Rock in 1630. Sub-
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ject was married in 1850, to Miss A. S. Kenyon, also a native of Cayuga county. They came to Iowa in 1857, locating in Taylor county. He there preëmpted a quarter section just south of where he now lives, built a cabin, fenced and broke it, but soon discovered that the Burlington & Missouri Railroad Company held a preceding claim on the land he had labored so hard to improve. He was informed by the government agent that he must go, which accordingly he did and bought the land upon which he now re- sides, paying double the government price. At several times Mr. H., wife and child lay sick and for forty-eight hours were unable to help themselves and had no means of communicating with the neighbors three miles dis- tant, but were relieved each time by a lucky accident. Mr. and Mrs. H. assisted in organizing the Fairview Presbyterian Church and have always manifested a deep interest in its upbuilding. Mrs. H. opened and taught the first school in that neighborhood at her own house. Being successful beyond her most sanguine expectations she continued the school for several years receiving twenty dollars per term from the public treasury, for the purpose of securing a girl to do her housework. They are the parents of seven children: Horace K., Arthur A. and Frank L. are married and are prosperous farmers. Mahlon E. and Clarissa A. died when quite young. Subject has 160 acres of fine land with large orchard, ornamental and shade trees and good substantial buildings. He has been a member of the board of supervisors for sixteen years.
HANKS, WILLIAM, farmer and stock-raiser, section thirty, post-office Bedford, is one of the pioneers of Washington township. Was born in Ohio in 1828. He was married in 1851, to Miss Elizabeth Ganson, a native of Pennsylvania, but who came to Ohio with her parents when but two years old. In 1853 they started west, locating in Edgar county, Illinois, im- proved a quarter section of land, but left there on account of ill health. Coming to Taylor county, Iowa, in 1855, he preëmpted one hundred and twenty acres, which are now well improved, with good buildings, orchards, etc. At the time of taking up their residence here there was but one house between their farm and Bedford. For a number of years they had no idea that the country would ever be settled up. These good people live by themselves, visit the sick when their neighbors are afflicted, and have been blest with the best of health since their residence in Iowa.
HARGADIN, JOHN, farmer and stock-raiser, section twenty-six, post- office Bedford, was born in New York City in 1818. His parents moved to Connecticut in 1822. There he grew to manhood and was educated at the common schools. He was married in 1846 to Miss Elizabeth Cobb, a na- tive of Connecticut. Mrs. Hargadin has in her possession a genealogy of
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the Cobb family, showing their settlement in Tolland, Connecticut as early as 1620. Mr. Hargadin was engaged for many years as overseer in cotton mills in Connecticut and Massachusetts. In 1853 he emigrated to Illinois and located in Lee county, where he entered and improved a farm on which he lived twenty-six years. He became a citizen of Taylor county in 1876, locating where he now lives and owns a fine farm of 160 acres, well im- proved, good house, with lawn in front, adorned with ornamental trees, shrubs and flowers, and seven acres in orchard and forest trees. His farm is well fenced, well watered and nicely situated. Subject has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for many years. He has one son, Charles N., who works and manages the farm. He is a young man of good habits and promise, industrious and enterprising. He was born in Illinois in 1862.
HARRIS, J. L., EsQ., farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Bedford, was born in Missouri, in 1830. When but four years old his parents moved to Illinois. He there grew to manhood and received his education. Went to California in 1852, remaining there two years. He returned to Illinois in 1854, and engaged at teaching, stock-dealing, etc., up to the breaking out of the rebellion, when he enlisted on the first call for volunteers, in the Four- teenth regiment Illinois volunteers, in May, 1861. Was engaged at Shiloh, seige and capture of Vicksburg and Jackson, Mississippi, also many skir- mishes, forced marches, etc. Discharged in June, 1864. Returned to Illi- nois and engaged in farming. Was married in 1865, to Miss Susanna Lake, a native of Illinois. Of this union there are three children living: Thomas M., Hattie E. and Mary. Came to Taylor county, Iowa, in 1868. Located near Platteville. Moved to his present home in 1873. Has a well improved farm of 240 acres, good buildings, fences, orchard, etc. In 1879, the farm was visited by a tornado, which did considerable damage to buildings, trees, growing crops, etc. Has held the office of justice of the peace, both in this and Jefferson townships. Himself and wife are members of the Christian Church. In polities he is an uncompromising Republican.
JOHNSON, NATHAN, farmer, section thirty-six. The subject of this sketch, though a young man, is one of Taylor county's old settlers. Was born in Indiana in 1851. Came with his parents to Iowa at an early day, and came to Taylor county in 1865. He bought the farm he now occupies in 1878. In 1872 he married Miss Mary E. Stewart, a native of Illinois, and daughter of E. V. Stewart, of Jackson township, Taylor county, Iowa. Mrs. Johnson came to Taylor county just at the breaking out of the rebel- lion, when border ruffianism held sway, and remembers vividly the fears and excitements of the Union people in those trying times. Her father owned and operated the first corn-planter in that locality. He had it ship-
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ped from Galesburg, Illinois, and hanled it from St. Joseph, Missouri, by wagon, sixty miles. It was as great a show and made as much excitement at that time as a full-grown circus at present. Mr. Johnson is a young man of promise, enterprising and industrious, a member of the Christian Church. He is building a good house and otherwise improving his farm, which is already in a good state of cultivation. He intends to have his heavy work done before declining years; in other words, " makes hay while the sun shines." Mr. Johnson has one child, Gracie Alice, born January 12, 1880.
KEESLAND, JACOB, farmer and stock-raiser section sixteen, post-office Holt. The subject of this sketch is among the first of Taylor county's old settlers. He was born in June, 1832. When but ten years of age he went with his parents to Indiana, and came to Iowa in 1852. Was married in 1855, to Miss Nancy Williams, a native of Indiana. Came to Taylor county the same year, locating where he now lives. Has a fine farm of 200 acres, well improved, with good orchard, shade and ornamental trees, wind-breaks, etc., well fenced, good buildings, etc. Feeds out all his grain on the place, and raises and markets a good deal of stock yearly. Has also a number of prime horses. The family are members of the "Cottage Grove " Christian Church, in which they take an active interest, and assisted at its organization in 1876. They have three children living: Se- nith F., John William and James R .; also three deceased: Mirah, D. and Laura Belle.
KYSAR, J. C., farmer and stock-raiser, section twenty-eight, post- office Bedford, one of the pioneers of Washington township, was born in the State of Indiana in 1874. He came to Taylor county, Iowa, in 1855, since which time he has been a resident of Washington township, except during his service in the army. Enlisted in August, 1862, in the Twenty-ninth Iowa volunteers, company F, which com- pany was organized in Taylor county, served one year, and was discharged for disability, and is still suffering from disease contracted while in the service. He was married in 1865 to Miss Delilah A. Moore. They are parents of four fine hearty boys: C. H., F. G., O. A. and G. O. Has a nice farm of forty acres, well improved. They are members of the Bap- tist Church.
MAY, ISAAC, farmer and .stock-raiser, section twelve, post-office Bed- ford, was born in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, in 1820. His parents moved to Ohio when he was but nine years old. He there grew to man's estate and was educated in the common schools and Carlyle University. He afterwards learned the plasterer's trade, which business he followed for
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thirty years. Moved to Logan county, Illinois, in 1861, removed in 1865 to Mason county, Illinois; bought and improved one-quarter section of land, upon which he lived until 1877, when he came to this county, locating where he now lives. Has a fine farm of 240 acres of well improved land, fine residence, good barns, cribs, stables, etc., also a good house occupied by his son, who works the farın, Mr. May turning his entire attention to the raising of stock, of which he has a fine herd. Was married in Ohio in 1842 to Miss Matilda Sifers. They are the parents of five children: Solon D., Charles C., Anson L., Ellen, deceased aged 21, and Nancy A., died in infancy. Mr. May is a man of energy and enterprise, and takes more than a passing interest in public affairs.
MAY, C. C., farmer and stock-raiser, section thirteen, post-office Bedford, was born in Champaign county, Ohio in 1845. Moved with his parents to Illinois in 1862; lived in that State until 1876, when he became a citi- zen of Taylor county, Iowa. In connection with his father he took up and broke 580 acres of prairie. He now owns a nice farm of 160 acres well im- proved with good buildings, etc. He feeds all his grain on the farm, and thinks it much more profitable than marketing his produce. Is enterpris- ing and speculative, buys and sells numbers of cattle yearly, and is reckoned one of the enterprising young men of the county. Was married in Mason county Illinois, in 1869, to Miss M. C. Seibert. They are the the parents of three interesting girls, Anna M., Effie C. and Iva O.
MARTIN, WILLIAM, farmer and stock-raiser, sections twenty-eight, twenty-nine and thirty-two, post-office Bedford, was born in Ohio in 1822. When but three years old his parents moved to Indiana, where he was educated at the "subscription schools" (before the days of district schools). Was married in 1843 in Parke county, Indiana, to Miss Mary Headley, and moved to Illinois in 1850. Came to Taylor county, Iowa, in 1867, locat- ing where he now lives. Has a fine farm of 240 acres, well improved with fine house, orchard, groves, wind-breaks, etc. Served in the Thirty-sixth regiment Illinois infantry volunteers during the war of the rebellion. Has seven children living: Mary A., wife of Benjamin Lee, Rufus A., Emily C., James W. and Laura B., wife of William Webb, A. Lincoln, and Charles E. Also three deceased, Sarah D. Caroline and Ann Eliza. Mr. Martin is a cabinet-maker and joiner by trade, which business he followed up to his residence in Iowa. Came here with limited means, but by in- dustry and economy he has acquired a competency. Himself and wife are consistent members of the M. E. Church.
MONEYHAN, JAMES, farmer and stock-raiser, section two, post-office Bedford. The subject of this sketch was born in Terre Haute, Indiana,
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in 1830. When an infant in arms his parents went to Louisville, Kentucky. At the age of nine came with his parents to Washington county, Indiana. There he grew to manhood occupied at farming. At the age of eighteen young Moneyhan went into partnership with an elder brother in the mer- cantile business, putting up the first building and opening the first store at Saltilloville, Indiana, afterward a flourishing town. Was married in 1851 to Miss Sarah Walker, also a native of Indiana. By this union there are ten children living, five boys and five girls: Sarah E., Turner, John R., William O., Mary E., Arminta, James, Lilly, Robert B. and Alta; two are deceased, Nancy J., died at the age of fourteen, and Henry, died in in- fancy. Came to Iowa in 1861, locating in Monroe county. Enlisted the following year, August 2, 1862, in company K, Thirty-sixth Iowa volun- teer infantry. Was at the battles of Helena, Little Missouri River and Mark's Mill, where he was taken prisoner with the entire regiment. Was held a prisoner of war at Tyler, Texas, ten months, and exchanged Febru- ary, 1865, at the mouth of Red River. At the first sight of the stars and stripes displayed from the United States gunboat he says his feelings so overcome him, though many of the prisoners cheered lustily, he was unable to even speak. Was sent to parol camp and afterward sent home on parol furlough where he was discharged June 19, 1865. Came to Taylor county in 1870, locating in Holt township. Engaged in merchandising, and sold out in 1872. Went to Nebraska, took a homestead, traded for land in Missouri and moved there the same year. Sold his farm in 1873 and came to his present liome where he bought and improved a fine farm of 320 acres. Is at present farming and stock-raising extensively. Has a good herd of 103 stock cattle, many hogs, etc. He engaged in many enterprises and spec- ulations, running almost the entire gamut of successes and reverses. Trav- eled extensively in many of the States of this great nation. Has settled down to the belief that Iowa is the greatest State in the union and Taylor the greatest county in the State, and would advise the rising generation "that any honorable calling well followed will eventually result more prof- itably than many changes with a view of bettering their condition," and would cite them to the old adage, that "a rolling stone gathers no moss."
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